Threat to ATS Euromaster branch in Manchester
ERJ staff report (PR)
Manchester, UK - Tire and vehicle maintenance company ATS Euromaster looks set to lose its branch in Altrincham, after the local council confirmed plans to take possession of the Greater Manchester service site for redevelopment.
A compulsory purchase order (CPO) placed on its current site by Trafford Council, means the existing branch will be forced to close, according to a 14 Aug statement from the company. Building work is due to begin in 2015.
ATS Euromaster has asked council officials and developers to allow the Oakfield Road operation to co-exist alongside the proposed £70 million development Altair development project. The business, it argues, has been unfairly excluded from the regeneration project by developers Nikal and council decision makers.
ATS Euromaster said it was offered three other sites in Altrincham by the Council but these were unsuitable out-of-town industrial estate locations with no retail frontage. Its current centre in Altrincham provides services for cars and vans and is beside a major supermarket.
“We have fought long and hard to stay where we are, or to be incorporated into the new plans,” said ATS Euromaster group estates manager Rhys Jenkins. “For some reason, unknown to us, we are being ignored.
“Surely it’s madness that the needs of local motorists and businesses, plus the full-time employment of five skilled technicians, are being overlooked in a project billed as something that will regenerate the area.”
This article is only available to subscribers - subscribe today
Subscribe for unlimited access. A subscription to European Rubber Journal includes:
- Every issue of European Rubber Journal (6 issues) including Special Reports & Maps.
- Unlimited access to ERJ articles online
- Daily email newsletter – the latest news direct to your inbox
- Access to the ERJ online archive